Spectral computed tomography thermometry for thermal ablation: applicability and needle artifact reduction
Physica Medica, vol. 137, pp. 105093
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effective thermal ablation of liver tumors requires precise monitoring of the ablation zone. Computed tomography (CT) thermometry can non-invasively monitor lethal temperatures but suffers from metal artifacts caused by ablation equipment. PURPOSE: This study assesses spectral CT thermometry's applicability during microwave ablation, comparing the reproducibility, precision, and accuracy of attenuation-based versus physical density-based thermometry. Furthermore, it identifies optimal metal artifact reduction (MAR) methods: O-MAR, deep learning-MAR, spectral CT, and combinations thereof. METHODS: Four gel phantoms embedded with temperature sensors underwent a 10- minute, 60 W microwave ablation imaged by dual-layer spectral CT scanner in 23 scans over time. For each scan attenuation-based and physical density-based temperature maps were reconstructed. Attenuation-based and physical density-based thermometry models were tested for reproducibility over three repetitions; a fourth repetition focused on accuracy. MAR techniques were applied to one repetition to evaluate temperature precision in artifact-corrupted slices. RESULTS: , with coefficients of variation of 2.3 % and 6.7 %, respectively. Physical density maps improved temperature precision in presence of needle artifacts by 73 % compared to attenuation images. O-MAR improved temperature precision with 49 % compared to no MAR. Attenuation-based thermometry yielded narrower Bland-Altman limits-of-agreement (-7.7 °C to 5.3 °C) than physical density-based thermometry. CONCLUSIONS: Spectral physical density-based CT thermometry at 150 keV, utilized alongside O-MAR, enhances temperature precision in presence of metal artifacts and achieves reproducible temperature measurements with high accuracy.
Authors 9
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Leiden University Medical Center · Delft University of Technology
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZG Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD Delft, the Netherlands. Electronic address: lennartkoetzier@gmail.com
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZG Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZG Leiden, the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Clinical Science Europe, Philips Healthcare, Veenpluis 6, 5684 PC Best, the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, Isala, Dokter van Heesweg 2, 8025 AB Zwolle, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZG Leiden, the Netherlands
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University Medical Center Utrecht
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Delft University of Technology
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD Delft, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZG Leiden, the Netherlands
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